74 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



After all, the collector will learn rapidly by experience just 

 what outfit he needs and how he can obtain the best results. 

 What has been said above is in the main suggestive. 



It might be added that a pair of rubber boots is often a great 

 convenience on a wriggler hunt and a necessity on an undrained 

 marsh. 



HOW TO STUDY MOSQUITOKS.* 



The dissection and preparation for microscopical study of the 

 various parts of the mosquito may be readily accomplished, after 

 a little practice, with good results. Only a few instruments are 

 really necessary, but all the following will be found useful. A 

 dissecting microscope, or if this is not at hand, a good hand lens 

 mounted above a stage, a pair of dissecting needles, a spear 

 pointed needle, a few watch §-lasses, two or three droppers and 

 a supply of slides and cover slips. A few substances will also 

 be required as media for examining, staining or mounting the 

 specimens and it will be necessary to have on hand ninety-five 

 per cent, alcohol, absolute alcohol, carbolic acid, chloroform, bal- 

 sam dissolved in chloroform and xylol and some normal salt solu- 

 tion. Of the above instruments the spear point may be dis- 

 pensed with, and a needle used in its place; but the spear point 

 will be found much more convenient. A small alcohol lamp is 

 always of advantage in microscopic work and asphaltum will 

 also be found useful in ringing slides, especially in preparing dry 

 mounts. 



The first step in preparing a specimen is the killing. This 

 may be done by using a cyanide tube, or a few drops of chloro- 

 form, or by simply dropping the insect in alcohol. Either of the 

 first two means should be employed if the specimen is to be 

 pinned or used for fresh dissecting; but if the specimen is to be 

 used for future microscopical work, or examination, the last 

 method may be employed. Good mounts of the external parts 

 may be made from dry specimens ; but for examining or studying 

 the internal anatomy only fresh specimens can be used. 



The external structures which have been examined and studied 

 in our work are the head with its beak, antennae and palpi, the 

 legs, the wings and the genitalia. In examining or dissecting a 

 specimen, laying it upon a slide is sometimes recommended ; but 

 this will be found to be not so convenient or satisfactory as plac- 

 ing it in a watch glass. If, however, it is desired to examine a 

 single part or structure it is best to remove this and examine it 



* Prepared by Mr. E. L. Dickerson. 



